Self-aligning honing device

ABSTRACT

A hand-operated honing device providing engagements of a blade of a tool by a honing stone at pre-selected angles to the blade is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/793,375, filed on Apr. 20, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference.

This application incorporates by reference commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/392,445.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of hand tools and, more specifically, to hand-operated honing devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is recognized that there is a difficulty in honing or re-sharpening blades using hand tools. In particular, retention of the correct angular position of a blade relative to an abrasive medium (for example, honing stone) or facilitation of repetitive smooth passes of the blade or the abrasive medium represent challenging tasks for a user of average skills.

Various devices have been suggested to overcome problems associated with sharpening of blades using hand-operated tools, however, despite the considerable effort in the art, further improvements would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is a hand-operated honing device having a roller module adapted to slide a blade being honed at a pre-selected angle to a working surface of a honing stone. The honing device includes an arm movably secured to the roller module and defining the pre-selected angle and a clamping mechanism rotateably secured to the arm. The clamping mechanism is adapted to receive, grip, and release the blade and, in operation, rotateably aligns the blade to the working surface of the honing stone.

Various aspects and embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below.

The Summary is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention, which these and additional aspects will become more readily apparent from the detailed description, particularly when taken together with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an angled front view of a honing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2-4 show exploded perspective (FIGS. 2-3) and side (FIG. 4) views of portions of the honing device of FIG. 1.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative purposes and are not depicted to scale.

The appended drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, as such, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention that may admit to other equally effective embodiments. It is contemplated that features or steps of one embodiment may beneficially be incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a honing device 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2-4 depict exploded perspective (FIGS. 2-3) and side (FIG. 4) views of portions of the device 100.

The honing device 100 generally comprises a roller module 110, an arm 120, and a clamping mechanism 130. The arm 120 is movably secured to the roller module 110, and the clamping mechanism 130 is rotateably coupled to the arm 120. The clamping mechanism 130 is adapted to receive, grip, and release a tool 101, which blade 117 is honed, using the device 100, by a honing stone 160. In operation, the tool 101 (for example, plane iron (as shown), chisel, knife, and the like) is gripped by jaws of the clamping mechanism 130.

Components of the honing device 100 may be fabricated from metals, plastics, and other suitable materials using conventional design considerations known to those skilled in the art of hand tools.

Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the roller module 110 comprises a frame unit 102 having a horizontal plate 104 and vertical members 106, a cylindrical roller 108, a handle 112, a locking bolt 114, and a knob 116. The vertical members 106 and handle 112 are detachably secured to the plate 104 using, for example, hardware 103 and 105, respectively. In alternate embodiments, the plate 104 and at least one vertical member 106 may be fabricated as a single structural element.

The roller 108 is a cylindrical member adapted for rolling upon a substantially flat surface, thus engaging the tool 100 in a plane motion. In one embodiment, the roller 108 includes coaxial axles 107 disposed in axially aligned openings 109 that are formed in the vertical members 106 and provide a clearance fit to the axles 107. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), at least one axle 107 may be substituted with a blind threaded opening formed in a face of the roller 108 and a cylindrical stud secured in such an opening.

The plate 104 may contain a means adapted for moveably guiding the arm 120, such as a transverse recess 118 shown in the depicted embodiment, and the like. In one embodiment, the arm 120 comprises a groove (or, alternatively, an elongated opening) 122 adapted for movably housing the locking bolt 114.

Using the knob 116 and locking bolt 114, the arm 120 may be moveably secured in the transverse recess 118. In the depicted embodiment, using a squared neck 113, the locking bolt 114 is rotateably arrested in the groove 122. In one embodiment, the arm 120 includes a scale 126 (shown in FIG. 3) that allows securing the clamping mechanism 130 at a pre-selected distance from the roller module 110, thus controlling an angle 164 at which the blade 117 of the tool 101 engages a working surface 162 of the honing stone 160.

Referring to FIGS. 3-4, the clamping mechanism 130 generally includes a jaw assembly 132, an elbow module 134 (as depicted, right-angle elbow module), a coupling nut 136, and an optional fixed limiter 138 and/or an optional flipping limiter 150. In operation, the clamping mechanism 130 is adapted for rotateably aligning the blade 117 to the surface 162 of the honing stone 160.

The jaw assembly 132 comprises a lower jaw 140, an upper jaw 144, pressure screws 142, and wing (or, alternatively, castle) nuts 148 helically mating the screws 142. The blade 117 may be secured between the jaws 140 and 144 by tightening the nuts 148. In an alternate embodiment, the pressure screws 142 may be substituted with threaded studs affixed to the lower jaw 140.

In one embodiment, the upper jaw 144 includes a bracket 145 transversely affixed to the upper jaw 144 and a bushing 154 secured to the bracket 145 or to the upper jaw 144 using, for example, a welding, brazing, or soldering process. Alternatively (not shown), conventional hardware may be used to affix the bracket 145 or the bushing 154 to the upper jaw 144.

In the depicted embodiment, the elbow module 134 includes threaded studs 131 and 133, a joint 135, and an alignment nut 137. The studs 131, 133 form rotateable threaded connections with the coupling and alignment nuts 136 and 137 (stud 131) and the bushing 154 (stud 133). Using the coupling nut 136 screwed onto a portion of the stud 131 protruding though a clear opening 143 in the arm 120, the jaw assembly 132 and a fixed limiter 138 are secured to the arm 120.

In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the stud 133 may be a shaft forming a captive rotateable coupling with the bushing 154. Such stud 133 may be terminated at a far end of the bushing 154 using, for example, a check nut or a lock washer.

Longitudinal axes of the studs 131 and 133 are substantially orthogonal to one another and disposed in the same plane. Such studs may be welded, brazed, or soldered to the joint 135 or otherwise permanently coupled (for example, helically coupled) to the joint 135. Alternatively, the elbow module 134 may be fabricated as a single structural member.

The alignment nut 137 is controllably positioned on the stud 131. Location of the alignment nut 137 determines a value of a gap 141 (shown in FIG. 4) established between the arm 120 and the bracket 145. In one embodiment, after being positioned on the stud 131, the alignment nut 137 is rotationally immobilized to preserve a particular pre-selected width of the gap 141. In the depicted embodiment, at least a portion of the alignment nut 137 is disposed in a recess 124 formed in the arm 120, and the recess 124 rotationally arrests the alignment nut 137.

A combination of a rotateable connection between the stud 133 and bushing 154 and the gap 141 allows for a swinging (or pivotal) motion of the jaw assembly 132 about a longitudinal axis of the stud 133 (or bushing 154), as illustrated with an arrow 111 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3). An angular range of the swinging motion of the jaw assembly 132 is defined by a value of the gap 141 and a length 149 of the bracket 145. In operation, such rotational degree of freedom of the jaw assembly 132 provides self-aligning of the blade 117 to the working surface 162 of the honing stone 160.

Optionally, the swinging motion of the jaw assembly 132 may be arrested using a slide 147 movably (shown with an arrow 165) (shown in FIG. 3) secured to the arm 120. In operation, to immobilize rotationally the jaw assembly 132, the coupling nut 136 is momentarily loosened, the slide 147 is moved in a position between the bracket 145 and the arm 120, and then the coupling nut 136 is re-tightened.

In the depicted embodiment, the fixed limiter 138 is immovably secured to the arm 120 and, in operation, allows to pre-set a length 119 (i.e., blade depth distance) (shown in FIG. 1) of a portion 101A of the blade 117 that extends through the jaws 140, 144. More specifically, prior to securing the blade 117 in the jaw assembly 132, the honing device 100 is vertically placed (not shown) onto a surface 139 of the fixed limiter 138 disposed on a flat surface, for example, surface of a desktop. Then, the blade 117 extends though the opened jaws 140 and 144 until the blade reaches said flat surface and, in that position, using the wing nuts 148, the blade 117 is secured between the jaws. In an alternate embodiment, the fixed limiter 138 may be a portion of the arm 120.

In a further embodiment, the length 119 may be controlled using a flipping limiter 150. In one embodiment, the flipping limiter 150 comprises a flipper module 156 and cylindrical housings 158 having angled entry ports 155. The flipper module 156 includes a wire spring 151 and a blade stopper 153 permanently (as shown) or movably secured to the wire spring 151.

Using the angled entry ports 155, the flipper module 156 may rotateably be secured in opposing horizontal positions 157 and 159. When the flipper module 156 is in the position 157, the blade 117 may be aligned against the blade stopper 153 to define the extension (i.e., length 119) of the blade and then secured between the jaws 140 and 144.

The honing device 100 may be provided with replaceable fixed limiters 138, flipper modules 156, or blade stoppers 153 that are selectively adapted for pre-setting a particular value of the length 119.

In operation, a user disposes and secures the blade 117 in the jaw assembly 132. The user may adjust the position of the blade using one of the limiters 138 or 150, as discussed above. Then, by adjusting the position of the arm 120 with respect to the roller module 110, the user selects the angle 164 (shown in FIG. 1) at which the blade 117 engages the honing stone 160 and, using the knob 116, secures the arm 120 in that position. During a honing process, by utilizing the swinging motion of the jaw assembly 132, the honing device 100 self-aligns the blade 117 to the working surface 162 of the honing stone 160. Optionally, by using the slide 147, the jaw assembly 132 may be immobilized. When engaged via the handle 112, the device 100 is adapted for sliding the blade 117 along the working surface 162 of the honing stone 160 at the pre-selected angle 164 to the surface 162.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. Therefore numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 

1. A honing device, comprising: a roller module adapted to engage a blade in a plane motion upon a working surface of a honing stone at a pre-selected angle to said surface; an arm movably secured to the roller module, the arm having a first end and a second end; and a clamping mechanism secured to the first end of the arm and adapted to receive, grip, and release the blade and rotateable align the blade to said surface.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the roller module comprises: a cylindrical member adapted for rolling upon a substantially flat surface; and a frame member rotateably supporting the cylindrical member.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the roller module further comprises a user-operable handle affixed to the frame member.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the frame member comprises a means adapted for movably guiding the second end of the arm.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein the frame member comprises a recess adapted for movably guiding the second end of the arm.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the arm is adapted for securing the clamping mechanism at a pre-selected distance from the roller module, said distance defining the pre-selected angle.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the second end of the arm comprises an elongated opening or a groove adapted for movably securing the arm to the roller module.
 8. The device of claim 6, wherein the arm comprises a scale defining the pre-selected distance.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a jaw assembly having an upper jaw and a lower jaw, said jaws operable using helical pairs disposed at a periphery of the jaws.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the clamping mechanism further comprises an elbow module having: a first member rotateably coupled to the upper jaw; and a second member moveably secured to the arm and controlling a distance between the second end of the arm and the upper jaw, said elbow adapting the jaw assembly to a swinging motion about a longitudinal axis of the first member.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the upper jaw comprises a bushing rotateably receiving the first member.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein the upper jaw comprises a means adapted to define an angular range of the swinging motion of the jaw assembly.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein said means comprise a bracket secured to the upper jaw.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein the arm comprises a member movably coupled to the arm and adapted to arrest the swinging motion of the jaw assembly.
 15. The device of claim 10, wherein the distance between the first end of the arm and the upper jaw is defined using an alignment nut coupled to the second member.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the first end of the arm comprises a recess adapted to rotateably immobilize the alignment nut.
 17. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one limiter for defining a length of a portion of the blade extending from the clamping mechanism.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the at least one limiter comprises a member that is secured to or a portion of the first end of the arm, said member adapted to pre-set the length of said portion of the blade.
 19. The device of claim 17, wherein the at least one limiter comprises a blade stopper affixed to a wire spring rotateably supported by cylindrical housings disposed on a component of the clamping mechanism.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the cylindrical housings adapted to movably secure the blade stopper in opposing horizontal positions.
 21. A honing device, comprising: a roller module adapted to engage a blade in a plane motion upon a working surface of a honing stone at a pre-selected angle to said surface; an arm secured to the roller module, the arm having a first end and a second end; and a clamping mechanism secured to the first end of the arm and adapted to receive, grip, and release the blade and rotateable align the blade to said surface.
 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the roller module comprises: a cylindrical member adapted for rolling upon a substantially flat surface; and a frame member rotateably supporting the cylindrical member.
 23. The device of claim 22, wherein the roller module further comprises a user-operable handle affixed to the frame member.
 24. A honing device, comprising: a roller module adapted to engage a blade in a plane motion upon a working surface of a honing stone at a pre-selected angle to said surface; an arm movably secured to the roller module, the arm having a first end and a second end; a clamping mechanism secured to the first end of the arm and adapted to receive, grip, and release the blade; and at least one limiter for defining a length of a portion of the blade extending from the clamping mechanism.
 25. The device of claim 24, wherein the roller module comprises: a cylindrical member adapted for rolling upon a substantially flat surface; and a frame member rotateably supporting the cylindrical member.
 26. The device of claim 25, wherein the roller module further comprises a user-operable handle affixed to the frame member.
 27. The device of claim 25, wherein the frame member comprises a means adapted for movably guiding the second end of the arm.
 28. The device of claim 25, wherein the frame member comprises a recess adapted for movably guiding the second end of the arm.
 29. The device of claim 24, wherein the arm is adapted for securing the clamping mechanism at a pre-selected distance from the roller module, said distance defining the pre-selected angle.
 30. The device of claim 29, wherein the second end of the arm comprises an elongated opening or a groove adapted for movably securing the arm to the roller module.
 31. The device of claim 29, wherein the arm comprises a scale defining the pre-selected distance.
 32. The device of claim 24, wherein the at least one limiter comprises a member that is secured to or a portion of the first end of the arm, said member adapted to pre-set the length of said portion of the blade.
 33. The device of claim 24, wherein the at least one limiter comprises a blade stopper affixed to a wire spring rotateably supported by cylindrical housings disposed on a component of the clamping mechanism.
 34. The device of claim 33, wherein the cylindrical housings adapted to movably secure the blade stopper in opposing horizontal positions. 